#news #politics #Nepal
The recent political turmoil in Nepal surrounding the Bhijit Visa issue has seen the main opposition party, the Maoists, backtrack from their decision to obstruct the parliament for 18 days. Initially, the Maoists had halted parliamentary proceedings under their leadership, but later agreed to reopen the parliament after reaching a consensus with the ruling party on June 30.
The Bhijit Visa case, involving allegations of significant embezzlement in foreign remittances, led to a raid by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority at the Tribhuvan International Airport’s immigration office on June 7, sparking political tensions.
Following the revelation of information on the raid, the Ministry of Home Affairs summoned the then Chief Secretary of the immigration office, Teertharaj Bhattarai, for questioning. Opposition parties, raising concerns over the situation, demanded the resignation of Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak and the formation of a high-level parliamentary probe committee.
Although the parliamentary session was obstructed on June 13, all opposition parties eventually cooperated in passing the budget to facilitate government operations. Subsequently, under the Maoist leadership, opposition parties persistently pressed for the Home Minister’s resignation and the establishment of a high-level probe committee, leading to the parliament’s ongoing obstruction.
Legal experts argued that the formation of a parliamentary probe committee without the parliament’s intervention was unconstitutional. This disagreement prompted the Maoists to halt 11 meetings over 18 days, citing the lack of a clear basis for the ruling party to conduct the investigation independently.
In response to the Maoists’ sudden change of heart in agreeing to reopen parliament, Ramesh Khatri, representing the Kansai Nepal News, commented that the Maoists’ decision lacked clarity on their reasons for reversing their stance. He highlighted the importance of democratic principles and the need for all political parties to uphold them.
In a surprising turn of events, the Maoists, along with the Unified Socialist Party of Nepal, the Nepal Socialist Party, and the People’s Party, agreed to allow the parliament to function. However, the Rashtriya Prajatantra Party and the Rastriya Swatantra Party did not concur, emphasizing their demand for the formation of a high-level probe committee by the parliament itself.
Rajendra Lendhen, the leader of the Rashtriya Prajatantra Party, sarcastically referred to the Maoists’ agreement as a “brave surrender” in parliament on Friday. His remarks implied skepticism towards the sudden change in stance and questioned the motives behind the Maoists’ decision.
Expressing dissent, Manish Jhale, a member of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, indicated that he would continue to oppose the formation of a high-level probe committee in parliament. He criticized the government for failing to provide satisfactory answers to the public’s concerns, underscoring the need for accountability and transparency in governance.
In conclusion, the unfolding political drama in Nepal has showcased the complexities of power dynamics and the importance of transparency and cooperation among political parties in upholding democratic values.
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Author: MAYA | HARUTO
Posted at: June 14, 2025 3:00 am
